The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-18
UNGER'S FRIGHTFUL STORY,
de Tells the Jury How He and Bohle
Quarreled on the Night of Jan. 20,
And How, His Life Being in Peril, He Reached
Behind, Grasped Hammer, and Crushed
His Antagonists Skull with Blow.

ward L. Unger tor the murder of Louis Bohle,
whose body he cut up. packed in trunk and
sent by express to Baltimore, reached an inter
eeting and dramatic stage to-day. Testimony
for the defense occupied the day. The first
witness was Inspector Byrnes. who described
the circumstances under which Unger was led
to make his confession of the crime. He said
Unaer manifested no anxiety as to the result to
himself, but feared it would injure his children,
and he made the Inspector promise to secure
places for his son and two pretty daughters
should they lose the ones they had. Witnesses
then tes,iasd to Unger's good character Unger
himself was then put on the stand, and in an
swer to questions from his attorney, detailed
the story Of his lfe including eight
years. service in the United States navy.
He was on manof-war at the siege and
deduction of Forts Jackson and ST. Philip, at
New Orleans; lost the hearing of one ear in that
-Neagement; was wounded in the leg; command
cd several dispatch-boats, and was honorably
discharged. Then followed crcumstaptial ac
count Of the various means OF livelihood which
he had followed since his DISCHARGE; his meeting
with Bohle; their subsequent searches for a To-
,ation for saloon and sausage factory. Bohle
souid not make up his mind. Unger became
discusted with him, and advised him to get some
one else to 60 into partnership with him. Bohle
became morose, and they quarreled. Bohle ac-
cused him of cheating in the sale of the sausage
Bohle brooced over it, and on the night Of JAN
20. when Ungers boy won't out Unger was
writing and reading. Bohle sat still and NUT
tered until Unger got mad and got up and poked
The fire. The witness said that Bohe sat on the
aOfa nd 0u
witness said, Don't you call me that" and put
ais hand on Bodies head. Bohle struck him in
she neck, Cnger struck at him with poker and
Bohle grabbed q big butcher knife on the table
and made a rush Unger grabbed the hammer
from the tool box near him and struck Bohle as
he came on. Ungers hand was cut a little, but
Bohle's arm was raised and Unger grabbed his
coat sleeve and held off the knife. AS the old
man described the scene he re-enacted his part
Of the tragedy At this point he stood up and
seemed to be reaching high up at the hand which
held the knife over him. The little girls had been
taken out of the room before he began his evil
fence. The witness continued, and said that he
ltruck Bohle, he thought. about on top of his
head and Bohle fell back on the sofa. Unger
ooked at him and saw that he was dead
''You knew August Bohle was Dead said Mr..
Howe, quietly.
Eyes, SIR" answered Unger in subdued tones
Il knew that he was dead. and thought what
yshould do 1t was nearly 10 o'clock, and my
BOY would soon be back, SO l pulled out the set
,ofa. and got ready to receive my boy When
he came told him Bohle was gone, and we went
10 bed"
Unger related the story of the night of horror
which he passed while the body of Bohle was be-
hind the cot. He had fitful sleep, broken by
horrible dreams, and in each OF them Bohle ap-
peared standing at his bedside. Uneer would
start up and spring ont of bed. Again and again
this was repeated. Then the story of how he
cut up the remains was told in all its minutest
details. The head would not 60 into the trunk.
with all his efforts Unger wrapped it up in a
piece of cloth with some scraps Of iron and
full without it that Unger was obliged to bear
his weight upon the lid in closing it. The other
events-the removing the trunk to q saloon then
TO Williamsburg, and its shipment to Baltimore
were given. Unger said in closing: II don't
know, but it don't seem that l did it. I don't
seem to be awake. / am miserable man.
seem to be dreaming ever since. certainly did
Il in self defense. can't blame myself. am q
miserable man."
That was all. Unger's voice had sunk lowe,
and became more husky, until his words were
scarcely audible. The courtroom was as still al
death during his recital, and the jury leaned for
ward to catch every syllable. When ne wa.
through every eye was on him as he came dowr
from the stand, with every movement indicating
age or feebleness
After recess Unger was cross-examined. H,
again described the fracas infinitely and withou
the slightest variation from his former relation
fight, Unger's face was study. At the momen
when he was relating with uplifted hand how h,
held the arm of Bohle, who had butcher knife
IN his hand there was the expression of hard ex
srtion and trial of strength in Unger's face, ant
when he in his memory ran from the furious
Bohie, who was after him with tho knife, ant
told how he stopped and with one hand OF
the bedroom door. reached half behind
him with the other for the hammer
in the tool chest, keeping his eyes on his assaii
ant meanwhile, there was that frightened. hur
ried, terrible look which one might expect t,
see on the face of one in the actual scene. HI
Jad IT did not know l would grab tn
hammer. There were irons there and nigh
Throw a piece of iron at him." AS he struggles
TO hold Bohle's right arm aloft and strike will
she hammer, he said: II knew was gone il h
got his arm loose with that knife. and struc
nirn on the forehead, and then. as he pulled m
scross the room trying to get his hand loose,
~ hsn % the top Of the head. He stsggere